VLADIVOSTOK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that the true potential of Malaysia-Russia relations has not yet been fully realised and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing this cooperation across all sectors.
“I certainly look forward to having better relations and collaboration, both personal and governmental, in all fields with Russia,” he said during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday.
Anwar is in Russia to attend the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) until Sept 6. He is also scheduled to address the plenary session today.
During the meeting, Anwar assured Putin that, as Asean chairman next year, he will strive to boost the regional grouping’s collaboration with Russia in all areas.
“As you know, Asean is always engaged with Russia, and we have open trade, focusing on semiconductors and related fields.
“Of course, we in Asean are looking forward to your participation in the Asean Summit 2025,” he added.
Anwar also acknowledged Russia’s enormous potential, saying that as the largest country in the world, Russia has demonstrated its determination to overcome various difficulties and survive.
“If you could share this experience in our collaboration, we will certainly benefit from it,” he said.
During the meeting, Anwar took the opportunity to thank Putin personally for meeting him despite his busy schedule.
“We, of course, look forward to having effective programmes to follow up, so that today’s discussions will not end here. I look forward to working with you and your team,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly said that Russia is aware of Malaysia’s interest in joining BRICS and supports this aspiration.
“We are aware of our Malaysian friend’s interest in joining this organisation. We, as with many other countries, support this interest and will discuss the matter with our BRICS colleagues,” said Peskov.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a platform for cooperation among rapidly developing economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010.
Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates were accepted as new members in January 2024.
On June 18, Anwar confirmed that he had expressed Malaysia’s interest in joining BRICS to the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Also present at the bilateral meeting were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Aziz; Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari; Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib; Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup; and senior government officials.
This is Anwar’s first visit to Russia and his first meeting with the Russian President since assuming office in November 2022.
